Last time we saw that Diversification is a word on the Lord’s heart and is a Make or Break word, if we are led by the Lord to Diversification, it now has everything required to become a beautiful outcome, if. Not lead by the Lord most of the time ends in destruction.
Today we are going to see it is through being authentic and true, no photoshop, no disguises, real and raw, and who God blesses us to be and celebrates others and situations, which are free of all disguise and masks.
I’m going to open with this testimony:
I remember when a very good friend of mine, an amazing pastor wanted to end a church theme on evangelism he’d been led to get his church to study, pray, meditate and seek God on for the month. He shared he was going to do something different for the conclusion to this, I enquired what was he going to do? He said we’re going turn the church into a cafe and I’ve asked everyone to bring as many people as they can. I asked how will you do it? He said set up the tables, chairs and service food! I said what chairs and tables are you going to use? He said the church trestle tables and chairs!
It was here The Lord spoke through me an incredible revelation: So you’re going to disguise the church as a cafe? But won’t the people coming see through the disguise and then what will they think?
Hmm maybe WHY are these people disguising a church as a cafe? And WHAT else are they hiding?
I said but aren’t we called by God to be authentic and True? I said either you rip out all the furniture of a cafe and bring it in here so it is a cafe or just open it on Sunday as a church! Choose one or the other!
That day this pastor like me realised how easily we can be led to disguise the truth and what this can lead too. He decided to make the last Sunday of the month a special at church and guess what people came and many got saved. He did it GOD’S WAY and the blessing was there!
I’ve seen this same thing of trying to disguise things to make them different both personally, corporately or publicly, and it can lead us to become or witness or represent something we are not. Photoshop is a classic of this where models waist and body look different, even music can be like this for the artist may sound totally different in real life. In fact virtual reality is a greater example of tins people enter and the alter-reality becomes more true than of the true reality.
Can you relate to this story? If so that is good as it’s time to get fully free and live abundant life that Jesus life giving blood gave you.
In Isaiah 61 we are all called and seen by God to be the ones that LEAD, GUIDE, HONOUR & CELEBRATE people for who they are and accept them from where they are, walking with them towards the original, un photoshopped authentic creation God created them to be. For we know this cannot be done without God.
Key: You Build a Community led by the one that needs to be led.
We’re going to pause there, and pick up part 3 next time.
Challenge: Grab your journal and space with the Lord to record all He answers you.
- Word of God: Each day commit to Reading Isaiah 61 in a different version if possible, and ASK Him what He is high lighting for you and How to apply it.
- God where in what areas do I struggle to be authentic and true to lead vulnerably with those around me? Why is that God?
- Choice time, today if you want to be more authentic, true and vulnerable in those areas the invitation is here – to lay down your old way, habits, responses, and instead pick up HIS New way, responses and live it. The choice is yours, and say a prayer declaring this.
- God is there anywhere I’ve tried to disguise, cover, fudge, hide something in order to make myself or situations look different to who I really am? If so God today I repent of that and ask You to forgive me, set me free of disguising things and help me to embrace the way things really are, as Real is who you are and how You work in me. In Jesus name. Amen.
- Worship Time
Father God, thank You for this now word Diversification that it is through us willing to be vulnerable, authentic and true that You are truly revealed to the world and those around us. We ask You lead, guide, celebrate us as we walk into each day without photoshop, disguise, mask or hiding but real and raw as You created and designed us to be we do this by and in You. In Jesus name. Amen.
Craig Patten
Itinerate/Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Ministries
